Here it is the middle of June. Summer is nearly half-way gone and there are a million things to do before classes start in the fall! Where do you start?
Here's a list of things you need to do to get the ball rolling:
- Make sure you've met with an advisor and have had your courses approved.
- Finalize your course selctions and register for classes. If you're on a waiting list for a course, you'll need to keep track of the list to see if you are able to add the course later.
- Make sure that you've PAID for your classes or made official arrangements to pay for your classes (either by accepting financial aid and authorizing your college to apply the aid to your account, by taking out a short-term college loan, or by setting up a payment contract) before the payment deadline set by the college. (If you don't do this, your college can drop your from your classes.)
- Try contacting your professors by e-mail to see if you can get a copy of the syllabus. It really helps to know the course requirements ahead of time.
- Contact the housing office on campus and make certain they've received your contract and deposit. At that time, also make sure they've made arrangements with payment (either through the business office on campus to be paid with financial aid, etc.), have processed YOUR payment, or have accepted your contract for payment.
- Start pulling together all of your school supplies and dormitory supplies. If you are unsure what sort of things to take with to the dorm, contact the housing office.
- Make plans regarding how and when you are going to transport you and your stuff to campus. (Keep in mind, moving in the day before classes start is usually not the best idea.)
- Check your bank account. You're going to need some pocket money when you get to campus to pay for things like books and supplies and food (items not always covered by financial aid.)
Once you're certain you have all of your ducks in a row and everything's taken care of (or as much as can be taken care of before you actually arrive on campus), sit back and enjoy yourself. You still have half the summer to go!
Until next time!
Lynn Byrne
Until next time!
Lynn Byrne
Preparing for college admissions? Trying to find direction? Need a little help with the planning? Check out my college planning series:
- College Planning Made Easy--the planning and preparation workbook for the take charge, college-bound student,
- Paying for College Made Easy--a college financing guide designed to assist students and families in preparing and planning for higher education expenses; and
- The Great Scholarship Search--my guide for students and parents researching and applying for scholarship funding.
